Europeans: Russia in the G8 if OK to plan. Rubio: close as soon as possible, ideal Thursday

The United States and Ukraine 'have developed an updated and refined peace framework'. This is according to the joint statement released by the White House after yesterday's meeting between representatives of the United States and Ukraine in Geneva "for talks on the US peace proposal," which were "constructive, focused and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace," with a determination to continue contacts. "Both sides agreed that the consultations were very productive," it says. "The talks revealed significant progress towards an alignment of positions, identifying clear next steps. They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully respect Ukraine's sovereignty and ensure a just and sustainable peace'. The Ukrainian delegation "reiterated its gratitude for the determined efforts of the United States and Donald Trump, for their relentless efforts to end the war and the loss of life." Ukraine and the US 'agreed to continue intensive work on joint proposals in the coming days' and 'will remain in close contact with European partners'. "The final decisions," it is stressed, will be made by the "presidents of Ukraine and the United States," with a reaffirmed commitment to "continue to work together for a peace that guarantees security, stability and the reconstruction of Ukraine."

Overnight, air defences intercepted or destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions as well as the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. This was reported by the Russian Defence Ministry, reported by the Tass news agency. "Last night, air defence capabilities on alert intercepted or destroyed 93 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones, including 45 over the Belgorod region, nine over the Krasnodar region, seven over the Nizhny Novgorod region, four over the Voronezh region, 20 over the Black Sea and four over the Sea of Azov," the ministry specified.

"The deadline is that we want to conclude as soon as possible, it would be ideal to do so by Thursday," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a press conference in Geneva after the round of talks on Ukraine.

Ukraine 'never wanted war and will never be an obstacle to peace: diplomacy has been intensified and this is good'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this on his social profiles, taking stock of today. "Today was a day of numerous meetings and negotiations: in fact, since the morning there have been phone calls, meetings, consultations. The Ukrainian delegation in Geneva has already held a number of meetings: with the US side and also with our European partners," Zelensky recalled, "A little while ago, the delegation reported on the results of the talks, which were in depth. Many things are changing: we are working very carefully on the necessary steps to end the war. Today the negotiations in Switzerland will continue until late in the evening, the teams will work practically into the night, and we will receive more reports. It is important that there is dialogue with the US representatives and there are signs that President (Donald) Trump's team is listening to us." "It is crucial to make sure that the steps towards the end of the war are effective and that everything is working," the Ukrainian president added, "Ukraine never wanted war and will never be an obstacle to peace. Diplomacy has been intensified, and this is positive. We count on correct steps resulting from it. The first priority is a stable peace, guaranteed security, respect for our people and for all those who gave their lives defending Ukraine from Russian aggression." Tomorrow, Zelensky concluded in the post, 'will be an equally intense day. We are defending Ukraine's interests. And the strength of our position - the strength of our state position and the Ukrainian people's position - lies in the fact that it is a common position'.

Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in the Rostov region. This was reported by the Ukrainian Special Operations Force, adding that it is the first time a helicopter has been shot down by a deep attack drone. The craft was hit near Kuteynikovo in Russia's Rostov oblast, the Force reported on Telegram. The date and details of the operation were not disclosed.

Kiev's European allies have reportedly agreed to invite Russia back to the G8 if the peace plan is approved by the US, Russia and Ukraine, and the G7 gives the green light. This was written by several international media, including Tass and Sky News. Russia was expelled from the G8 after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

In the silent corridors of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, one of the most delicate negotiations of contemporary times began today, 23 November. The United States, the European Union and Ukraine are meeting around the same table to discuss whether there is a path to an end to the war.

The conflict, moreover, is now over three and a half years old, winter is looming and political impatience is growing on both sides of the Atlantic. It is in this climate thatWashington has put on the table a 28-point plan, anticipated by Reuters and discussed with increasing tension in European capitals. The document envisages significant concessions: Ukraine's renunciation of future NATO membership, structural limits on the Kiev Armed Forces, and the freezing of Russian control over Crimea and portions of the Donbass and Zaporizhzhia. A framework that President Donald Trump calls 'not final', but which many European partners already judge unbalanced in favour of Moscow.

The adoption of the plan proposed by the US to end the Ukrainian conflict would be in Kiev's interest, because Russia is steadily advancing and Ukraine will face a difficult winter. This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. "No significant changes are expected on the battlefield, as the same situation has been going on for three and a half years: the Russians are advancing, the Ukrainians are losing territory, winter is approaching and this will bring incredible difficulties for the Ukrainian people," Szijjarto told Hungarian broadcaster Kossuth. The foreign minister added that the escalation of the conflict could lead to World War III, which would become nuclear. However, he pointed out, if the Ukrainians accept the US peace plan, "even this risk can be eliminated". On Wednesday, US media had reported, citing US administration officials, that President Donald Trump had approved a 28-point plan for the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. According to reports, the plan calls for a reduction in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, recognition of the Russian language as an official language in Ukraine, reduction of the Ukrainian armed forces, and a ban on foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian territory. The plan also assumes that the US and other countries recognise Crimea and Donbass as legitimately Russian territories. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Trump's new peace plan could provide a basis for a final agreement in Ukraine.

Read also: The weight of the 'Russia factor' on EU enlargement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was 'personally' grateful to Donald Trump, after the US president published a message on social media in which he once again accused Kiev of showing 'no gratitude'.

"Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart and personally to President Trump for the help that, starting with the Javelins (American anti-tank rocket launchers, ed), saved Ukrainian lives," Zelensky said in a message on X.

Volodymyr Zelensky indicated in a post on X that he had spoken on the phone with Emmanuel Macron, thanking the French president for the conversation. "Our teams in Geneva are working with our partners and it is essential to achieve concrete results that bring Ukraine and Europe closer to lasting peace and security. We coordinate our positions and it is important to maintain dialogue and relaunch diplomacy," Zelensky explained. The Ukrainian president concluded: 'We look forward to new reports from our teams in Switzerland. Thank you, Emmanuel!"

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is about to take part in a video conference with some European foreign ministers after a consultation with his German colleague Johann Wadephul. This is according to informed sources, according to which in addition to Italy and Germany, Great Britain, Finland, Poland and Ukrainian Minister Andrij Sybiha are expected to take part in the consultation.

Donald Trump and Keir Starmer in a telephone conversation agreed to 'work together at this critical time'. Downing Street makes this known.

Russian military forces carried out attacks near the airports of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Odessa and Cernihiv regions. This was reported to Ria Novosti by the coordinator of the pro-Russian resistance in Mykolaiv, Sergei Lebedev. "Artsyz (Odessa region, ed.)," he said, "was affected in the night by an intense series of salvoes directed at the airport where the Ukrainian Armed Forces train pilots on light aircraft and launch drones. On the outskirts of Chernihiv, an attack targeted a former airport, now used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch drones'.

"Europe was clearly not among the drafters of the Trump plan but many issues included need Europe: reconstruction, security guarantees, Ukraine's entry into the EU. The phase is delicate, we have to look at the goal, the EU has to show that it can make proposals that can move things forward, we all agree on where we can make a contribution' and the EU must 'show maturity'. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking to journalists in Johannesburg.

The 24-point European counter-plan in response to the US proposals to solve the Ukrainian crisis states that the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian defence industry will not be limited. This is stated in a draft, extracts of which were published by the Daily Telegraph on its website. Point 13 states that 'Ukraine's membership of NATO depends on consensus within the Alliance' and that 'Ukraine becomes a member of the EU'. The document notes that 'both sides in the conflict commit themselves to a complete cessation of hostilities without any conditions in the air, land and sea'.

The sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 could be subject to a gradual and partial easing once sustainable peace is achieved and could be reinstated in the event of a breach of the peace agreement. This is provided for in one of the 24 points of the EU counterproposal for the peace agreement for Ukraine according to the version leaked to the Daily Telegraph.

In the silent corridors of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, one of the most delicate negotiations of contemporary times began today, 23 November. The United States, the European Union and Ukraine are meeting around the same table to discuss whether there is a path to an end to the war.

The conflict, moreover, is now over three and a half years old, winter is looming and political impatience is growing on both sides of the Atlantic. It is in this climate thatWashington has put on the table a 28-point plan, anticipated by Reuters and discussed with increasing tension in European capitals. The document envisages significant concessions: Ukraine's renunciation of future NATO membership, structural limits on the Kiev Armed Forces, and the freezing of Russian control over Crimea and portions of the Donbass and Zaporizhzhia. A framework that President Donald Trump calls 'not final', but which many European partners already judge unbalanced in favour of Moscow.

"I found a willingness on Trump's part" to change the plan for Ukraine. This was said by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking to journalists in Johannesburg. "We had a fairly long phone call with Stubb as well, I think the work the Sherpas are doing in Geneva follows this understanding," she added.

The latest version of the US draft plan to end the war in Ukraine now includes most of Kiev's 'key priorities'. This was stated by Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov, after holding several rounds of talks in Geneva. "The current version of the document, although still in the final stages of approval, already reflects most of Ukraine's key priorities," Umerov said, adding, "We expect further progress in the course of the day."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "sceptical" about the possibility of reaching an agreement on the plan for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine by Thursday 27 November, the deadline set by the US president. "I don't want to say pessimistic, but I am still not convinced that the solutions President Trump wants will be found in the coming days," Merz said at a press point on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. "President Trump's plan is to reach a conclusion on Thursday, but we are still far from that, I am sceptical about the possibility of such an outcome given the current differences," he explained.

Read also: Ukraine, Meloni seeks Merz's backing on Trump plan not to have to choose between US and EU

BRUSSELS - The European Commission confirmed yesterday that Ukraine urgently needs fresh money to finance the war against Russia. "The amount of financing needed is significant," the EU executive warned. Three options identified by Brussels are now known. In a 10-page missive sent to the Twenty-Seven, President Ursula von der Leyen notes that the three possibilities are not mutually exclusive, and can be used together.

"We have identified three options: support financed by member states through grants; a credit line financed by the Union through loans on the financial markets; and a loan linked to the cash balances of Russian assets frozen" at the time of the invasion of Ukraine, Ms von der Leyen wrote. In a document attached to the letter, she added that "the three options are not mutually exclusive. They can be combined or sequenced."

Europe has already prepared a counterproposal to US President Donald Trump's plan on peace in Ukraine in which it demands the use of Moscow's frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine and to compensate Kiev, as well as asking for a security guarantee from the Americans reflecting the mutual defence clause of Nato Article 5. Europe also rejects Moscow's demands on ceding unoccupied territory in the east. Bloomberg reports this, explaining that - according to informed persons - the counterproposal will be presented to the US during the talks in Geneva.

"The war between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible war that, with strong and proper leadership from the United States and Ukraine, would never have happened." US President Donald Trump writes this on his own social media site, Truth.

"It started," Trump continued, "long before I took office for a second term, during the administration of 'sleepy Joe Biden', and it has only gotten worse. Had the 2020 presidential election not been rigged and stolen, the one thing Radical Left Democrats do well, there would have been no war between Russia and Ukraine, as there was not, not even mentioned, during my first term. Putin was never going to attack! It was only when he saw 'Sleepy Joe' in action that he said, 'Now is my chance!' The rest is history, and so it continues'.

"The Ukrainian 'leadership' has expressed no gratitude for our efforts, and the EU continues to buy oil from Russia. The US continues to sell huge quantities of weapons to NATO, for (their, ed.) distribution to Ukraine (the corrupt Joe - Biden, ed. - gave it all away, free, free, including a 'huge amount' of money!). God bless all the lives that have been lost in this human catastrophe!" writes Donald Trump on Truth.

"Ten minutes ago PM Meloni and I spoke with President Trump. The president of the United States wakes up very early and works very hard and wanted to talk about the plan and the status'. This was stated by Finland's President Alexander Stubb in Johannesburg at the end of the G20. "President Trump," he added, "answered the phone at 5am on Sunday morning in the US, which shows that he is working relentlessly to find a peace agreement in Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. And of course, we discussed the situation, the 28-point plan and some of the developments here in Johannesburg related to the peace plan."

"The Ukrainian delegation is working in Geneva today, focusing on finding viable solutions to end the war, restore peace and ensure lasting security. Brief reports on the outcomes of the first meetings and talks have already been received from the members of our delegation. At the moment, there is an understanding that the American proposals could include a number of elements based on Ukrainian positions and fundamental to Ukraine's national interests'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky writes this in X.

"As Turkey, we will do everything we can to achieve peace" between Russia and Ukraine. This was stated by Turkish President Erdogan during his press conference today at the ongoing G20 in South Africa. "I met Zelenskyy in Ankara last week and tomorrow I will talk to Putin by phone," Erdogan added.

Voldymyr Zelensky, hopes for 'a positive outcome' of the Geneva talks 'to stop the bloodbath in Ukraine and ensure that war does not break out again in the future'. In a post on Telegram while the talks are underway in the Swiss city, he emphasises that it is a good thing that 'diplomacy has been reactivated' and that conditions have been created 'for constructive dialogue'. The hope, he concludes, is that 'all participants have a constructive attitude'.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 in South Africa with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders, informs a note from Palazzo Chigi, underlined "the importance of cooperation between Italy and Turkey in the NATO framework". The meeting continued with an in-depth exchange on the ongoing international crises with particular reference to the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. "The two leaders also shared the hope of continuing to strengthen bilateral relations in a very positive framework of continuous economic growth, including in strategic sectors," the note concludes.

"For a just and lasting peace and for the sovereignty of Ukraine", EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen points out three elements: "borders cannot be changed by force". "As a sovereign nation, there can be no limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would make the country vulnerable to future attacks, thus also compromising European security". "Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected." He said this in a statement on Ukraine.

(ANSA-AFP) - KIEV, 23 NOV - The Ukrainian delegation present in Geneva to discuss Donald Trump's plan to end the war with Russia held a meeting with representatives from France, Germany and the United Kingdom. This was announced by Kiev's chief negotiator Andriy Yermak. "I held the first meeting with the national security advisers of the leaders of the UK, France and Germany (...) The next meeting will be held with the US delegation," Yermak said on Telegram. (ANSA-AFP).

The US plan for Ukraine has 'serious flaws'. This was stated to Afp by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, calling it "unacceptable" to "change the borders by force". "We need US commitment to help end the war in Ukraine and stop Russian aggression," Store said on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. "But the plan is insufficient and has serious flaws that we need to address," he added. Store particularly stressed the need for Europe and Ukraine to be at the negotiating table. "There is no peace in Ukraine without Ukraine," the Norwegian premier said, reiterating the position of European countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X that rescue operations in Ternopil, where a Russian missile hit a residential building, have ended after four days of relentless work. "As a result of this Russian crime, 33 people were killed, including six children. My condolences to the families and their loved ones. Unfortunately, six people are still missing,' he wrote, thanking the rescuers for their efforts. Other attacks hit Dnipro and Nikopol, causing injuries including children: 'Fourteen people were injured in Dnipro, including a child. In Nikopol, two children and a woman were injured by an FPV drone. Once again, there have been attacks on civil and residential infrastructure, as well as on energy facilities in several regions of our country." "Today, our advisors will be working in Switzerland with representatives of the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. But in parallel with the diplomatic course, we must do everything we can to strengthen our defence against these malicious attacks. It is extremely important to accelerate the implementation of all agreements with our partners regarding air defence systems and missiles,' he concluded.

The Russians attacked the Odessa region and the city of Odessa with drones, causing fires in the energy infrastructure. This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform. "Russia has again attacked the Odessa region. Both individual districts of the region and the city itself were attacked,' the report states. Enemy drones caused fires in the energy infrastructure and in a former industrial building, which the fire brigade put out. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or injuries.

The Russian military announced the capture of three new locations in eastern Ukraine, on the day Ukrainian, European and American representatives meet in Geneva to discuss President Donald Trump's 28-point plan to end the war. The Russian Defence Ministry reported the capture of Petrivske in the Donetsk region, the main theatre of fighting, and Tikhé and Otradné in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where Russian troops are advancing rapidly.

The Ukrainian Defence Forces have reported that they have eliminated the Russians in the central part of Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk region at the centre of Moscow's offensive, and are holding their positions. This was reported by the 7th Army Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces, as reported by several Ukrainian media including Ukrainska Pravda and Rbc Ukraine. The communiqué specifies that the Russians were eliminated in the area of the railway station, the Pokrovsk Pedagogical Institute and Soborny Park, which are located in the city centre. This would have made it possible to block Russia's attempts to amass forces in that area.

"Together with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, we have declared our readiness to work on the 28-point plan, despite some reservations. However, before starting the work, it would be good to know for sure who the author of the plan is and where it was drawn up'. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote this on X. His words follow statements by some US Republican senators who claimed that the American proposal was not drafted by Washington, but came from Moscow.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has landed in Geneva, where US, Ukrainian and European officials are meeting to discuss US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio's plane landed shortly before 9:30 a.m. Italian time, according to Afp.

Further reading

Ukraine, from Trump a peace plan akin to a surrender

21 November 2025

One of Russia's oldest hydroelectric power plants, the Shatura power plant, located about 120 kilometres east of the capital Moscow, was attacked overnight by Ukrainian drones. The attack resulted in an extensive fire. Ukrainian media reported this by posting video footage of the attack.

This morning, a drone attack was carried out against the Shatura hydroelectric power plant. The air defences destroyed some drones, but others crashed inside the area of the power plant, causing a fire that has now been put out,' confirmed the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, on the messaging app Telegram. According to the governor, the attack did not disrupt the supply of electricity to Shatura, a town of about 36,000 inhabitants.

"The framework agreement exists to reach a conclusion.... I think we can push the Ukrainians to do it, and later the Russians." This was stated in an interview with Fox News by the US president's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. In the interview, reports Rbc Ukraine, Kellogg also specified that "there are some things that need to be codified, but this is done during negotiations, and the president understands that." "We know, Steve Witkoff (US special envoy to the Middle East ed.) and I, Kirill Dmitriev from Russia, that the Ukrainians are involved, and we've come to a proposal that will be very difficult for them to reject," Kellogg added according to reports from Rbc Ukraine. "As we would say in the military," the US envoy stressed, "it's the last 10 metres" that "are always the most difficult" and "we're about 2 metres away." "We're going to be working on it all Thanksgiving week to make sure we get to the end result, and I think we have a chance of getting there," Kellogg said.

"I think that" the elections in Ukraine "are necessary to reassure the population and also the free world, but this is one of the conditions in Washington's peace plan" for the conflict. This was stated by the US president's special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, in an interview with Fox News, reported by the Russian news agency Tass. 'There is one point in the plan that I think is important, which is that there will be elections,' he explained. 'The plan clearly states that Ukraine must hold elections within 100 days. It will probably be possible to get there in about 90 days, based on what the people I talked to told me, but,' he concluded, 'it will be an interesting process'.

Further reading

Ukraine, Zelensky's speech: dignity and freedom are non-negotiable

21 November 2025

(ANSA) - ROME, 23 NOV - In the night of 22-23 November, Russian forces attacked different parts of Ukrainian territory with 98 drones, about 60 of which Shahed. This was reported on Telegram by the Ukrainian Air Force, explaining that 69 of them were shot down or blocked, while 27 hit 12 locations Part of the drones were directed towards the territory of Dnipro, causing fires in an apartment building and injuring fourteen people, including an 11-year-old child, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

At least fourteen people - including an 11-year-old girl - were injured in the drone attack in Dnipro. According to the head of the local administration, Vladyslav Haivanenko, the Russian army launched a series of drones over the region on the night of Saturday to Sunday. A residential building was hit, causing a large fire to break out. Several houses were also hit in the Synelnykove area: two people were injured, according to Le Monde.

"Trump's plan for peace? It is only a basis, a starting point. It needs the agreement of Kiev and the European Union. On the other hand, sanctions can only be removed by Brussels'. Thus, interviewed by 'La Stampa', Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the US proposal for peace between Ukraine and Russia. Tajani does not believe that Putin "is in a hurry, perhaps he wants to close before the coldest winter arrives, but it will still take weeks". For Tajani, in any case, 'peace is between Russians and Ukrainians', and it is consequently 'obvious that Kiev must have a role, it will have to be the Ukrainians who say what they accept and what they ask to change'. Moreover, 'one cannot think of finding an agreement without Europe, for the simple reason that Europe has imposed sanctions on Russia, so without the Union's agreement, peace cannot be made', the Forza Italia leader added.

"Trump's plan reduces Europe to the role of a beleaguered spectator": this is the harsh comment of the former French head of state, Francois Hollande, who - in an interview with Le Monde - stresses that "for Trump, our continent is finished, it is no longer at stake" and that if Zelensky "falls, it is our security that is compromised. And, sooner or later, we will also fall'. The former President of the Republic expressed his concern about Donald Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine, believing that it sanctions the break between the US and Europe and places Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a 'terrible dilemma'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit the United States to discuss Washington's plan for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, the US president's special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said in an interview with Fox News, the Russian news agency Tass reports. "It is a good plan. There are aspects that need to be codified and explained a little better, but we're almost there,' Kellogg said. There will be an opportunity to say that this is a good plan "when Zelensky comes to the United States, which he probably will, there's no guarantee that will happen," he noted.

Further reading

Ukraine, Trump calls Keith Kellogg, the general for 'peace in 48 hours'

28 November 2024

Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones last night. This was reported by the Russian Defence Ministry, quoted by the Tass news agency. "Last night, in-service air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones: thirty-six drones on the Black Sea, ten drones on the territory of the Crimean Republic, nine drones in the Bryansk region, seven drones in the Voronezh region, four drones in the Krasnodar region, three drones in the Smolensk region, two drones on the territory of the Moscow region and the Belgorod region, and one drone in the Kaluga and Ryazan regions," the Ministry specified.

'The peace plan was written by the United States'. This is how US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to extinguish the controversy that erupted in Washington after some Republican senators called the 28-point draft to end the war in Ukraine a sort of 'Russian wish list'. Rubio, on his way to Geneva to discuss the document with Ukrainian and European officials, clarified that the proposal is 'based on Russian and Ukrainian input' but remains 'authentically American'. The clarification comes after Republican Senator Mike Rounds, speaking at the Halifax Security Forum, reported that Rubio had told him that the draft "was not the American proposal", adding that the text would be passed to Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff by a representative of Moscow. Rounds' words were branded as 'blatant falsehoods' by State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, while Rubio himself returned to social media to confirm that 'the peace proposal was drafted by the United States'.